Michael J. Lyon

Michael Lyon leads Akrivis’s cross-border corporate practice, advising clients on international transactions and legal due diligence support.  He also counsels firm clients on U.S. sanctions and export control advisory, corporate governance, alternative dispute resolution, and reputational management matters. Mr. Lyon leverages his years of varied experience in the private and public sector, including working in numerous countries and in a senior position in the U.S. government, delivering pragmatic, impactful solutions.

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Beyond his legal experience, Mr. Lyon offers high-level expertise with space and ocean technology-related startups, as well as business mediation. A published author on startups, he has served as a mentor to tech startups in the Creative Destruction Lab accelerator program at the University of Toronto for seven years. Mr. Lyon brings this multi-faceted experience to approach and resolve complex commercial issues.

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Before joining Akrivis, Mr. Lyon served as General Counsel for four companies, including the largest U.S. real estate workout firm and two space-sector companies. He has also served in a senior position in the U.S. government, working as the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the RTC during the Savings & Loan Financial Crisis, working on resolving the failure of over 700 financial institutions.  Mr. Lyon also practiced at Covington & Burling, and has experience working at major law firms in London and Sydney.

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